AVSI is one of eleven partners in IRIS Africa (Intelligent and Responsible Innovation with GenAI for Societal Impact), a research and innovation project funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme. The project aims to harness generative artificial intelligence to serve African communities, with a particular focus on healthcare and agriculture.
Running for three years in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda, the project is based on the recognition that many AI technologies currently available are not designed to address African needs, languages, and cultural contexts. Its goal is therefore to develop and adapt innovative tools together with local communities, enabling them to improve access to information, services, and development opportunities in a meaningful way.
Among the planned applications are a support system for people with diabetes in Ghana, capable of translating complex clinical data into simple and accessible messages, and a tool for small-scale livestock farmers in Kenya to better manage risks associated with extreme weather events through more effective insurance systems.
AVSI’s Role
Within the consortium, AVSI works to bridge technological innovation and the real needs of communities.
The organization is leading the establishment of three Living Labs in Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda: collaborative spaces where universities, public institutions, businesses, startups, and civil society organizations test and adapt new AI solutions to local contexts.
AVSI is also responsible for mapping innovation ecosystems, identifying key stakeholders in the AI sector, and strengthening local capacities through training and capacity-building activities. The project will also engage African startups and small businesses, enabling them to integrate IRIS Africa technologies into services already available on the ground.
A People-Centred Approach
Beyond technological development, IRIS Africa seeks to promote an inclusive, accessible, and responsible approach to artificial intelligence, designed and developed together with the communities that will use it.
By fostering collaboration among civil society organizations, universities, research centres, startups, and investors, the project aims to support the adoption of innovative solutions that address real-world challenges and create new development opportunities for local communities.
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